StyleScope, Taniya Nayak & Shopping at HomeGoods

I remember when HomeGoods showed up near my house when we lived in Virginia. I drove by and saw the sign and thought, I think I’m going to love that store. Sure enough, when I first walked through the doors, that thought was confirmed. Linens, dishes, pots and pans, bedding, furniture, rugs, accessories…all under one roof. It was like the home section of Marshall’s and TJMaxx, but huge. So, I was very excited when I received an e-mail from HomeGoods about their new project, StyleScope. StyleScope is a simple visual quiz you can take that will help you determine your style.

The author of StyleScope is the lovely and very talented Taniya Nayak (designer for HGTV & The Food Network.) I had the opportunity to ask her a few questions, in fact…

My readers love to be inspired by success stories. Can you share how you got to where you are today in the design world?

Taniya: I never anticipated being on television! It came from a perfect blend of luck and passion for what I do. I was a design student working on my master’s, and we got an email about an audition for an ABC Family series. The school suggested that we try out as a learning experience. I auditioned, got the job, and so it began – I’m lucky to be on HGTV and Food Network for the last 10 years. My first HGTV job came from an unlikely place – Craigslist!

You’re a room makeover pro! What is the main element you usually start with to immediately improve a room?

Taniya: I always start by identifying the problems in a room. The next step is learning more about the function of the room – how it is used now and how you WANT to use it. Then comes the fun part! This is when I really get to know the client and find out what their style is – and then bring my own spin to it!

What is your go-to color combination(s) and why?

Taniya: I don’t really have a go-to color combination, but I love to have an inspiration piece for a room, and then build the color palette around that piece. It could be a favorite piece of art, a pillow, wallpaper, etc. My clients are always the main inspiration for a color palette.

Where do you find inspiration?

Taniya: Travel! Through my TV shows like House Hunters on Vacation and Restaurant Impossible, I have had the opportunity to see many places around our country and the world. But overall, it doesn’t matter where it is – I find inspiration all around me.

Have you ever been totally stumped by a room? If so, how did you get through the project?

Taniya: I’ve definitely been stumped on rooms, sometimes based on shape or function. As a result, I often end up giving the most creative thought to these rooms, and they end up being my favorites.

What’s your favorite piece in your home?

Taniya: I have two Wassily chairs that my parents handed down to me – I love them because they are iconic in their design, AND remind me of my childhood!

When giving a room a makeover, where is the best place to spend the bulk of your budget to make the greatest impact?

Taniya: Flooring is a great place to spend a bulk of your budget on a room makeover – it is not something you are changing out year after year, and it takes a lot of traffic and wear and tear. With that being said, don’t feel like you are short changing the rest of your room. You can still fill your room with unique furniture pieces, art and accessories from affordable shops like HomeGoods.

Do you have any words of wisdom, advice or stories to share for my readers?

Taniya: Don’t be scared, and be ready to break out of your comfort zone. Do your research and learn about your personal style by browsing in magazines, online, and in stores like HomeGoods. And don’t ask to many people for their opinions – design is subjective. You should always go with your gut.

(I love that she got her first job on HGTV by answering an ad on Craig’s List! Who knew?!)

The people at HomeGoods felt my style was a good representation of Farm House Glam, one of the styles Taniya defined for the StyleScope quiz. I headed over to StyleScope, took the quiz and…sure enough…Farm House Glam (with a touch of Classic.)

Here’s how StyleScope describes that style…”Farmhouse Glam is the delicate, exquisite balance between beautiful femininity and rustic nonchalance. She’s all about the discovery of unexpected sparkle amidst the less polished. She wears high heels and a denim jacket, a string of pearls and bare feet. And her home feels as special as it does comfortable.”

And for each style, there are suggestions on pieces to look for, how to accessorize, there’s even a pin board on Pinterest and an example of a blogger…

So, HomeGoods challenged me to a room makeover, showcasing my style – Farm House Glam with a touch of Classic. Armed with a $1000 gift card, I headed with my mom to HomeGoods for some serious shopping. I decided to work on my master bedroom, since that room, even after about 12 makeovers, still isn’t quite where I want it.

We were in there for hours. I filled three carts. I knew right off the bat that I wanted to spend the bulk of my budget on a rug. We have carpeting in the room right now, but will be installing hardwood floors soon. Of course, I fell in love with the most expensive one ($499, by Broyhill)…

This is definitely the touch of classic in the space. I want to decorate the room in blues, whites and greens, so this rug was perfect. (Don’t you see Lucketts Green in there? I feel a painting project coming on…) I also tend to like more classic rug styles, because I feel like they’ll stand the test of time.

With half of my budget spent, the rest was going to go towards accessories and bedding, since I didn’t need any furniture pieces. I bought two of these mirrors, which are almost identical to some more expensive mirrors I’ve been in love with for a while…

…and I bought an eclectic collection of frames…

I like that they’re made of natural materials with that silver one thrown in for the glam element. I also bought the rust colored throw (in the picture with the rug), some bedding elements and some feather pillow forms. I’m now on the hunt for the right fabrics and wall color. The Farm House style will mostly come from my antique pieces and furniture. I can’t wait to show more as I work on the room.

Disclosure: I was given a $1000 gift certificate to spend at HomeGoods to makeover a room in my house. I am not being compensated in any other way for being involved in this project. It is an honor to have my blog featured on StyleScope and to partner with HomeGoods and Taniya Nayak.

Comments

What a fun post to read! How exciting to have an opportunity like that to makeover a room. I ‘m looking forward to seeing it all pulled together! I’m going to take that quiz – i’m thinking I will have a similar outcome. We are making over a bath right now – it’s kindof traditional-industrial-vintage at this point

Huh. Interesting little quiz. I took it twice and both times it came back with Farmhouse Glam with a touch of Boho. That actually explains why nothing I put together seems to be working for me. Now I just have to figure out what to do with this information. Thanks for the link. You have been quite a bit of inspiration to me. I didn’t have the encouragement and support as a kid to explore my talents so I’m just now starting to branch out.

I came out Classic twice. How did I end up with a daughter that is Farmhouse Glam? Did I do something wrong :)? I even tried to come up Farmhouse Glam and still came up Classic. The shopping trip was great fun!

I just took the quiz….what a shock to discover that I am…Farmhouse glam with a touch of Classic! Too Funny! I was really attracted to lots of the pictures, but went with my gut in choosing the beach, number 7, latte in white ironstone, rustic &, and the lovely tart on the hobnail stand. I was an original country girl back in the 80’s complete with homespun fabric, geese, and wallpaper. I’ve been attracted to antique anything since I was a kid. I tried going more contempo earlier in the 2000’s, but my heart was never really in it. Today I am happily embracing my love of vintage finds, beautiful fabrics, and antique furniture without apologizing for it. Thanks for helping me find my true “style self” through your blog. And thanks for not letting “Furniture Feature Friday” go by the wayside. I look forward to it all week!

New Country, and a touch of BoHo….yeah I agree….my home is a lot of travel, gifts…my own art work, what my hubby loves and inheritance of parents who collected the good antiques for ever…with one major collection. Rocks…doesn’t every one have baskets full of fossils, agates,quartz they have collected on their hikes….So I am not Farmhouse glam but I appreciate the looks….no Home goods in our area…I need to find the closest ,curious….and that rug, I fell in love instantly would look so good in my living room and add some needed color

Such an awesome post. I will be stoping by HG until I find that mirror. It is exactly what I’ve had in mind for over my bed. Hopefully one of the store in my area will have it. I just ordered your book and it should be delivered Friday. CAN’t WAIT!!!! Thanks for all your inspiration. I think I’ll be planning my family”s vacation around a trip to Lucketts next summer. LOL

I took the quiz and turns out that I am New Country with a touch of Traveler. Doesn’t surprise me at all…. I love the rustic country look and as for the traveler, I have traveled around the world in my younger days. I LOVE homegoods SO much! I just wish I didn’t have to drive 45 mintues to York or Lancaster to shop there. Well, maybe it’s a good thing that its not located in Harrisburg, otherwise, I would go there every single day! LOL!

Wow. Love Ms. Nayak! Thanks so much. I took this quiz some time back and never could decide! I am always either – boho, classic, or sassy.Good thing HomeGoods doesn’t seem to mind. Your choice were perfect, especially that rug.

I took the quiz and found out my style {which I have trouble defining} is farmhouse glam with a touch of boho. That was fun! I also loved the description of each style and tips for adding those touches to existing decor.

I love Tania Nayak. She has such a bubbly personality and seems to have fun on her shows. I miss decor shows with her on HGTV. I am not sure what show she is currently ON or when it comes in my area….Wow, $1000 to shop at HG? Lucky you!

I am also Farmhouse Glam. Must be why I love your blog so much. We don’t have a Home Goods here, I usually shop there when I go visit my kids in LA. Don’t even have a Marshalls. Drat I love that store.

Wow, what a good quiz! The result is New Country and a Touch of Classic. I recognize it so much! I’ll probably share this quiz too. They advise Southern Hospitality Blog. I started following Rhoda a couple of days ago on Pinterest. Or was it yesterday? I don’t know, it’s just such a coincidence.

I never would have found the StyleScope quiz without your blog.. Thank you!! I’ve had a really hard time redecorating my living room, dining area, and kitchen. After taking the quiz, I know I’m New Country all the way! What a relief, because that style really speaks to me!

I have always loved Taniya and her bubbly personality!! She is wonderfully talented and very inspiring, I think you two together is terrific! I will have to see where there is a Home Goods close to me. Thanks for all the info, gonna go take a quiz!!

Hi Miss M. I am using an iPhone and cannot get to the quiz. :(. I tried several times to click on your link and it just takes me to the Homegoods site. I even tried typing the whole address with stylescope on the end and I get an error message. I wonder if it has to be on a desktop? Did anyone else try it on a phone? Thanks, Elena

Oh good grief that sounds fun!!! That sunburst mirror is gorgeous! Pretty rug too, can’t wait to see what you do with it all. Home Goods is really really fun, reading this makes me want to run over there right now. I’m gonna go take that test!

I too took the test and was Farmhouse Glam with a touch of classic. Fits me to a tee, I like putting an old rusted piece right next to a cut glass candlelier or an old beat up farm table under a beautiful chandelier. I’m thrilled I have a style to call my own now, never knew how to describe it and this works…Farmhouse Glam, I like it! I’ve never shopped at HomeGoods before, didn’t know we had one here but the store locator directed me to a T.J. Maxx, so I’ll have to go check it out! Can’t wait to see your finished room!

Trackbacks

[…] 6.) Finish my bedroom. This is another room I just had to get done for the book and I used some leftover fabric that was more teal than I wanted, but it was what I had and I went with it. This room is going blue & white like the rest of my house and I got a great start on it with my HomeGoods shopping spree. […]